Coat hanger having theft alarm

ABSTRACT

A garment hanger having an alarm buzzer and actuating battery, and a key the insertion of which disables the alarm system and the removal of which places the system in actuatable condition. One or more switches are provided in the circuit adapted to be maintained in the open condition when a garment is supported by the hanger and to close the circuit to actuate the alarm when the garment is removed while the key is not disposed in the key socket of the hanger for instituting the disabling condition.

United States Patent Spalding et al.

[54] COAT HANGER HAVING Fl ALARM. v v [72] Inventors: Donald P.Spalding, 102 Minges Circle, Battle Creek, Mich. 49015; James G.

Close, 3215 29th St., Lubbock, Tex. 79410 [22] Filed: Nov. 9, I970 [21]App1.No.: 87,749

[52] US. Cl ..340/280, 340/272, 200/6158, 200/85 [51] Int. Cl ..G08b13/14, G08b 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..340/280, 272, 283, 421, 276;-

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,620,761 12/1952 Towler..116/2 [4 1 June 6, 1972 3,366,944 1/1968 Cochran ..340/280 3,145,3758/1964 Webb ....340/280 514,584 2/1894 Ahlers ....340/280 1,105,5047/1914 Gargon ....340/280 918,088 4/1909 Poppertt ..340/280 PrimaryExaminer-John W. Caldwell Assistant Examiner-Scott F. PartridgeAttorney-Roy A. Plant [57] ABSTRACT A garment hanger having an alarmbuzzer and actuating battery, and a key the insertion of which disablesthe alarm system and the removal of which places the system inactuatable condition. One or more switches are provided in the circuitadapted to be maintained in the open condition when a garment issupported by the hanger and to close the circuit to actuate the alarmwhen the garment is removed while the key is not disposed in the keysocket of the hanger for instituting the disabling condition.

4 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED N 619?? 3. 668.680 sum 10? 4INVENTORS Jpa/amy BY "Jamay G C/oJe Y (lCPZMt ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUN 6 23,668,680

' sum 2 BF 4 W/////% i ////////A INVENTORS BY dame" 6% Close PATENTEDJuH6 I972 ShEET 3 BF 4 INVENTORS Spa/cf jam 0 my tjmas' 6' Close FMATTORNEY 1 COAT HANGER HAVING THEFT ALARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION'removed'therefrom. Other devices have been disclosed in the fomi ofgarment hooks which, when the garment is removed, sound an alarm.However, the prior art devices have been deficient in one or more ofseveral respects. Some of them are too expensive or are not sufficientlyattractive in appearance to merit use in the luxurious surroundings of agood hotel or restaurant. Others do not operate with precision, whilestill others can be easily disabled by a thief so that the alarm doesnot sound when the garment is removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide in its broad aspect an alarm device which can bedisabled by the insertion of a key or like device, and which whenactuated by removing the key or other device, sounds an alarm when thecondition is achieved against which a warning is to be sounded.

It is a further object to provide a garment hanger arranged to sound analarm when a garment is removed from the hanger after the owner of thegarment has previously removed the disabling key from the hanger.

It is still further an object to provide a garment hanger of the typedescribed which is foolproof and cannot be circumvented by a would-bethief.

It is still further an object to provide a garment hanger having analarm which is aesthetically attractive.

It is still further an object to provide a garment hanger which can beeasily produced at market-acceptable cost.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

.To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the garment hangers hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain means for carryingout the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but oneof the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of one embodiment of the presentinvention and is shown hanging on a horizontal rod of a clothes rack.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view taken at the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2taken at the line 3-3 of-FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the invention taken at the line 4-4of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view with cover removed similar to that ofFIG. 4, but showing in broken lines a garment hanging on the hanger, andshowing the switching apparatus in the condition in which it is actuatedby the weight of the garment.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view with the garment removed,taken at the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken at the line 7-7 of FIG. 5,looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view taken at the line 9-9 of FIG. 8,looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view taken at the line 10-10 of FIG. 8,looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view with covers removed taken at theline 11-11 of FIG. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view similar to that of FIG. 11, butshowing a garment in broken lines hanging on the hanger and theswitching system actuated as a result of the applied weight.

- FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken at the line 13-13of FIG. 12, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken at the line 14-14 ofFIG. 12, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG.14, but showing a key inserted in the mechanism thereby placing thealarm system in the disabled condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring more particularly toFIGS. 1-7, a garment hanger 10 is shown, comprising a body member 1 land a cover member 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2), affixed to the body member 11 bymeans of screws 17. Within the body member is mounted an electricalcircuit disabling lock 13 provided with a key 14 having a chain 15affixed at one of its ends to the key 14 and at the other end to anidentifying tag 16. Affixed to the body member 11 is a rod engaging loop18 shown mounted on a horizontal rod 19 of a clothes rack.

Mounted within the body member is an alarm buzzer 20 having a circulargrille 51 mounted on the outer face of the body member. In suitablerecesses provided therefor in the body member 11 are a pair of switchpush buttons 21 and 22 pivotally mounted by means of hooks 23 and 24molded into the body member 11. The push buttons 21 and 22 are providedwith tabs 26 and 27 which limit the pivotal movement of the push buttons21 and 22 within the opposite walls of a pair of recesses 28 and 29. Thebody member 11 is further provided with a dry cell battery compartment30 in which a pair of dry cell batteries 31 and 32 are mounted.

The push buttons 21 and 22 are arranged when depressed to operate a pairof switches 33 and 34. The switch 33 operated by the push button 21comprises a fixed contact 35 and a movable contact 36 spring loaded inthe closed position. The push button 22 is arranged to operate theswitch 34 which comprises a fixed contact 37 and a movable contact 38.The fixed contacts 35 and 37 and movable contacts 36 and 38 are mountedin slots provided in the body member 11. The fixed contact 37 isprovided at its inner end with a terminal contact 39 engaging a terminalof the dry cell 32. The terminal contact 39 is electrically connected tothe fixed contact 35 by means of a wire 40, and contact 36 is connectedby a wire to a terminal 41 of the alarm buzzer 20. The other terminal 42of the buzzer is connected by means of a wire 43 to a movable contact 44of a disabling switch 45. The disabling switch additionally includes afixed contact 46 which is mounted in a slot provided in the body member11 and has at its remote end a terminal contact 47 engaging a terminalof the dry cell battery 31. The electrical system further includes awire 48 connecting the movable contact 38 with the movable contact 36.The key lock 13, FIGS. 4 and 6 is provided with atab 49 biased outwardlyby means of a compression spring 50. The arrangement is such that whenthe key 14 is removed from its socket in the lock switch, the tab ispermitted to be extended, thereby engaging the contact 44 and closingthe switch 45. When the key is inserted in the lock switch, the tab 49is caused to recede, thereby permitting the switch 45 which is biasednormally open to assume the open condition.

METHOD OF OPERATION The garment hanger shown in FIGS. 1-7 and describedabove is placed in operation by placing the loop 18 over a horizontalrod 19 of a garment rack, with the key 14 in place in the slot of theelectrical switch lock 13. The device is now in the condition shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The switches 33 and 34 are in closed condition, butthe switch 45 is open, thereby disabling the circuit. A garment is thenplaced over the hanger in the manner shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Theweight of the garment depresses the push buttons 21 and 22 causing theswitches 33 and 34 to open. The key 14 is then removed form the socketof the switch lock 14, thereby closing the switch 45 and activating theapparatus, the key and its accompanying tag being taken by the personwho leaves his garment on the hanger. If the garment is subsequentlyremoved by a person who has not first disabled the apparatus byinserting the key 14, the force is removed from either one or both ofthe push buttons 21 and 22, thereby permitting one or both of theswitches 33 and 34 to close. When either of the switches 33 and 34 isclosed while the switch 45 is also closed, the circuit to the buzzeralarm is completed and the alarm sounds, bringing attention to theunlawful or accidental removal of the garment. When the rightful ownerreturns to remove his garment, he first inserts the key into the lock,thereby disabling the alarm mechanism and permitting him to remove hisgarment without causing the alarm to sound.

FIGS. 8-14 illustrate a garment hanger combination 60 comprising anotherembodiment of the invention. The hanger 60 includes a body member 61 andadditionally comprises a pair of lateral arms 62 and 63, and a loop 64adapted to engage a horizontal rod 65 of a garment rack. The body member61 has a turned-over flange 66 at its upper end and a pair of screws 67mounted therethrough and engaging loops 68 and 69 provided at the upperends of the arms 62 and 63, and loops 70 and 71 provided at the end ofthe loop 64. The lower ends of the arms 62 and 63 are provided withoffsets 72 and 73. The body member 61 is comprised of a metallic plate74 as one face having the flange 66 integrally connected to an upper endthereof. A housing 75 of a plastic material is affixed to the plate 74by means of nut and bolt combinations 76 and 77. A second housing 78 ofa plastic material is also mounted on the plate 74 by means of screws 79threadedly engaged in holes provided in the plate. Covers 80 and 81 alsoof a plastic material are mounted over the housings 75 and 78,respectively. A key 82 having a chain 83 affixed at one end to the keyand at the other end to a tag 84 is adapted to be inserted in a socket85 (FIGS. 14 and A louver 86 is provided in the cover 80.

Contained within the compartment 75 is a buzzer alarm 87 and a dry cellbattery receptacle 88 containing a dry cell battery 89 mounted therein.Electrical connection with the battery 89 is provided by means of'terminal contacts95 and 96. The contact 95 is connected to one terminalof the buzzer alarm 87 by means of a wire 97. The other terminal of thebuzzer alarm 87 is connected by means of a terminal strip 98 to theplate 74 by the screw 77.

The offset ends 72 and 73 of the lateral arms 62 and 63 are mountedinrecesses 99 and 100. A switch contact clip 101 is mounted in slotsprovided in the housing 78 and has fixed switch contacts 102 and 103provided at the ends thereof. The offsets 72 and 73 are provided withcompression springs 104 and 105 mounted in the recesses 99 and 100biasing the offsets 72 and 73 against the switch contacts 102 and 103,respectively, cooperating therewith to provide normally closed switches106 and 107.

The disabling mechanism of the invention comprises a pair of adjustableswitches 1 l0 and 111. The switch 110 comprises a U-shaped contact 112affixed to a metal strip 113 slidably mounted in a notch provided in theplastic housing 78. Cooperating with the U-shaped contact 112 is amovable contact comprising a helical spring 114 affixed at one end tothe switch contact 101 and having its other end terminating in astraight wire'contact 115 disposed intermediate the two contact surfacesof the U-shaped contact 112. The switch 111 is comprised of a Ushapedcontact 116 having a metal strip 117 slidably mounted in a slot providedin the housing 78. The

movable contact comprises a helical spring 118 affixed at one end to theswitch contact 101 and having a straight wire contact 119 at the otherend thereof positioned intermediate the contact surfaces of the U-shapedcontact 1 16.

The key 82 is provided with two switch contact surfaces, as shown inFIG. 15. A first contact surface 120 has a small diameter and is adaptedto engage the helical spring 118. A second contact surface 121 isadapted to engage the helical spring 114. The key terminates with anindex tab 122 adapted to engage an opening 123 in the metal plate 74which cooperates with the key opening to maintain the key in properposition. Both U-shaped contacts 1 l2 and 1 16 are connected together bya wire 124 and are connected to the terminal 96 of the battery by meansof a wire 125.

OPERATION OF SECOND EMBODIMENT To prepare the hanger for operation, thecontacts are ad-' justed by inserting the key 82 into the slot 85 withthe index tab 122 engaging the opening 123. In this position the helicalspring 114 is engaged and spread by the contact surface 121 and thehelical spring 118 is engaged and spread by the contact surface 120. TheU-shaped contact 112 is then moved back and forth until the contact ofthe helical spring 1 14 is positioned precisely intennediate the contactsurfaces of the U-shaped contact 1 12, thereby placing the switch 1 10in open position. The U-shaped contact 116 is then adjusted until thecontact 1 19 is disposed precisely intermediate the contact surfaces ofthe U-shaped contact 116. In this position the electrical circuit to thebuzzer alarm is completely disabled. The shape of the key, that is, thediameters of the two contact surfaces and 121, may be provided in any ofa large number of combinations of different diameters. It can thus beseen that a large number of different keys may be provided and theswitches 110 and 11 l of each hanger adjusted for its own particularkey. Subsequently each device can be disabled only by the key to whichit has been adjusted. Consequently, the alarm cannot be disabled byinserting any other key. After the adjustment has been made, the hangeris mounted on a horizontal rod 65 with the key in place, therebydisabling the alarm. In this position the switches 106 and 107 are inclosed condition due to spring biasing of the offsets 72 and 73 by thecompression springs 104 and 105. When a garment is placed on the hanger,as shown in FIG. 12, the weight of the garment bears down on the lateralarms 62 and 63 and causes the switches 106 and 107 to open. The key 82may now be taken out of its socket, thereby placing the circuit inoperating condition. Because the switches 106 and 107 remain open due tothe weight of the garment,the circuit is still open and the alarm is notsounded. However, if a thief attempts to remove the garment, the alarmnow sounds, since removal of the weight from either or both arms 62 or63 causes one or both of the switches 106 and 107 to close, the closingof either switch being suffrcient to close the circuit and cause thealarm to sound. When the owner of the garment returns, he once moredisables the alarm by inserting the key thereby placing both switches110 and 1 l l in open condition. Consequently, when the garment isremoved and switches 106 and 107 are closed, the alarm still does notsound since the circuit is disabled by the key. Because of the preciseadjustment of the U-shaped switch contacts 110 and 111 each hanger maybe made operable by only a particular key.

The disabling switch and cylindrical key arrangement described andillustrated in FIGS. 8-15 may be utilized for disabling and activatingalarms and may other types of circuits where access disabling oractivating is to be limited solely to the person having the key which isunique for the particular apparatus. These cylindrical keys may beformed of an inexpensive plastic material and the two or more engagingsurfaces may be easily dimensioned so that in combination they aredifferent from those of any other key. The switching arrangement is veryprecise and sensitive to detect when keys of improper dimensions havebeen inserted. In the present invention the switches have been soadjusted that the switching contacts are closed when the key is removedand opened when the key is inserted. Alternatively, they may be adjustedso that the switch contacts are closed when the key is inserted andopened when the key is removed. in either arrangement the properadjustment may be readily made and will precisely retain its adjustmentover extended periods of operation. The switch arrangement may bereadily fabricated from commonly and inexpensively available materials.

The present invention in its several embodiments has many advantages. Itmay be made relatively inexpensively and is virtually foolproof withregard to disabling of the alarm to permit a thief to remove a garment.In one embodiment the alarm may be disabled only by the insertion of theproper metal key. ln the second embodiment shown and described above,the alarm may be disabled only by the insertion of a cylindrical keyhaving two precisely dimensioned contact surfaces. The switches actuatedby pressure from the garment are very sensitive and precise and cannotreadily be disabled by a thief.

From the foregoing it will be seen that novel and advantageous provisionhas been made for carrying out the desired ends. However, attention isdirected to the fact that variations may be made in the garment hangerconstructions disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as herein shown and described.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed,instead of those explained, change being made as regards the apparatusherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as ourinvention:

1. A theftproof garment hanger comprising a body having a pair ofgarment supporting lateral arms and means for being hooked to a support,an electrically operated alarm, a dry cell battery for operating saidalarm, an electrical circuit means connecting said alarm with saidbattery, a pair of electrical switches one associated with each arm andelectrically connected in parallel with each other and in series withsaid electrical circuit means, said switches being in normally closedposition when said hanger is without a garment, and means for openingsaid switches when a garment is placed on said hanger comprising a pushbutton pivotally mounted within each arm of said hanger and having aportion thereof extending above the upper surface of said arm, each ofsaid push buttons being adapted when a garment is placed on said hangerto be depressed, thereby opening said switches, a circuit disablingswitch arranged in series with said circuit means having a key socketand key, said disabling switch arranged to be opened when said key isinserted in said socket and to be closed when said key is removed,whereby removal of said key activates said circuit and whereby removalof a garment from said hanger during the activated condition causes saidswitches associated with said arms to close, thereby causing said alarmto sound.

2. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein each of said switchescomprises a fixed and a movable contact, and wherein each of said pushbuttons is in engagement with said movable contact.

3. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein each of said armscomprises a V-shaped rod pivotally mounted at its upper end and havingits lower end disposed within the body of said hanger, and means biasingsaid lower ends outwardly, said amis being arranged, when the weight ofa garment is placed thereon, to move their lower ends inwardly againstsaid spring means and to open said pair of electrical switchesassociated with said arms, and to extend outwardly and close saidswitches when said garment is removed.

4. A garment hanger according to claim 4, wherein each of the lower endsof said arms is offset and arranged to function as a movable contact ofa switch of one of said pair of electrical switches, said offset endsbeing adapted to engage a fixed contact and to close said switch whenweight is removed from said arms thereby permitting the ends thereof tomove outwardly.

age UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION Patent No-3,668,680 Dated June 6, 1972 fls) Donald P. Spalding and James G. CloseIt is certified that error'appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 31, for "4 read --'3-. .1

Signed and sealed this 10th day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents my v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No. 3,668, 680 Dated June 6, 1972 Inventor(s) Dona l d P.spalqgng and James G. Close It is certified that error'appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

C olumn 6, line 31, for "4" read 3.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A theftproof garment hanger comprising a body having a pair ofgarment supporting lateral arms and means for being hooked to a support,an electrically operated alarm, a dry cell battery for operating saidalarm, an electrical circuit means connecting said alarm with saidbattery, a pair of electrical switches one associated with each arm andelectrically connected in parallel with each other and in series withsaid electrical circuit means, said switches being in normally closedposition when said hanger is without a garment, and means for openingsaid switches when a garment is placed on said hanger comprising a pusHbutton pivotally mounted within each arm of said hanger and having aportion thereof extending above the upper surface of said arm, each ofsaid push buttons being adapted when a garment is placed on said hangerto be depressed, thereby opening said switches, a circuit disablingswitch arranged in series with said circuit means having a key socketand key, said disabling switch arranged to be opened when said key isinserted in said socket and to be closed when said key is removed,whereby removal of said key activates said circuit and whereby removalof a garment from said hanger during the activated condition causes saidswitches associated with said arms to close, thereby causing said alarmto sound.
 2. A garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein each of saidswitches comprises a fixed and a movable contact, and wherein each ofsaid push buttons is in engagement with said movable contact.
 3. Agarment hanger according to claim 1, wherein each of said arms comprisesa V-shaped rod pivotally mounted at its upper end and having its lowerend disposed within the body of said hanger, and means biasing saidlower ends outwardly, said arms being arranged, when the weight of agarment is placed thereon, to move their lower ends inwardly againstsaid spring means and to open said pair of electrical switchesassociated with said arms, and to extend outwardly and close saidswitches when said garment is removed.
 4. A garment hanger according toclaim 4, wherein each of the lower ends of said arms is offset andarranged to function as a movable contact of a switch of one of saidpair of electrical switches, said offset ends being adapted to engage afixed contact and to close said switch when weight is removed from saidarms thereby permitting the ends thereof to move outwardly.